Can-opener.



No. 6%,8. Patented Dec. 3|, I90l.

R. w. NEWTON. CAN OPENER.

(Application filed Dec. 31, 1900.)

(No Model.)

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UNITED STATES ATENT OFFICE.

ROBERT 'W. NEWVTON, OF NEiVTON CENTER, MASSACHUSETTS.

CAN-OPENER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent NO. 690,1 18, dated December 31, 1901.

Application filed December 31, 1900. Serial No. 41,574. (No model.)

' nying drawings.

This invention has reference to improvements in can-openers.

One object of the invention is to so construct a device of this nature whereby both round and square cans may be opened on lines parallel to the edges of the cans.

Another object of the invention is to so construct an opener for round cans that the center pin may be more readily inserted.

The invention also consists in such novel features of construction and combination of parts as shall hereinafter be more fully described, and pointed out in the claims.

Figure 1 representsa plan view of the improved cutter or can-opener. Fig. 2 represents an elevation of the same, partially in section.

Similar numbers of reference designate corresponding parts throughout.

In the drawings, 5 represents a shank having the open oval handle 6, within which is pivoted the corkscrew 7. At the opposite end of the shank 5 are fixed the knife 8 and the combined guide and presser plate 9, having attached to the end thereof the screw-driver and tack-puller 10. As a means of securing the knife 8 and the plate 9 to the shank I have shown the rivets 11 and 12, the rivet 12 being extended and tapered to form the center pin 13, the knife 8 and the plate 9 being thus separated by the thickness of the shank. The cross-bar let is free to reciprocate on the shank 5, being provided with a slot for that pur-.

pose. This cross-bar may be formed in one piece or built up of several pieces. It is herein shown as furnished with the bottom plate 15, secured to the ends of the bar 14 by the rivets 16 16 ,which are extended to form shafts, as 17, on which are journaled antifrictionsleeves, as 18, and between the plate 15 and the cross-bar 14 is clamped the base 19 of the cutter 20, the cutter being spaced a distance from the sleeves 18 equal to the distance between the outer surface of a can and the line of the proposed out.

here this opener is to be used on a square can, such as a sardine-box, the point of the knife 8 is entered through the top of the can, the guide-plate 9, bearing along the outer edge of the can,deterinining the distance from such edge at which the knife 8 is to operate. If desired, the pin 13 may be utilized for perforating the top of the can as an entrance for the point of the knife 8.

In using this opener on a round can the pin 13 is positioned approximately above the center of the can-top and pressure is applied by the thumb on the plate 9 to force the pin 13 through the can-top. The sleeves, as 18, are now brought to bear against the outer edge of the can, and the knife 20 is forced through the can-top. If the can be now held from undue movement, the handle 6 may now be drawn around the axis formed by the pin 13, and the knife 20 will make a circular out parallel to the edge of the can, being guided by the sleeves 18, and this without reference to the location of the pin 13 in the exact center of the can-top.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent 1. A can-opener comprising a shank having at one end a handle, a knife extending from the opposite end of the shank at one side thereof, a combined guide and presser plate at the other side of the shank, a pin eXtending from the shank at right angles to the presser-plate, a cross-bar free to move on said shank and carrying guides, and aknife or cutter carried by the cross-bar.

2. A can-opener comprising a shank having a handle, a guide-plate at the opposite end of the shank, a knife extending from this latter end of the shank, rivets one of which forms a center pin securing the knife and plate to the handle, a cross-bar free to move on said shank and provided with antifriction guidebearings, and a knife secured to said cross-bar.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

ROBERT W. NEWTON.

Witnesses:

W. STANLEY CAMPBELL, H. J. MILLER. 

